This young Marine needs our help

At the time of its origin, Honor-Air had one mission: to serve those World War II veterans whom, for their entire lives, had so selflessly served others.

By Beck MillerBe Our Guest

At the time of its origin, Honor-Air had one mission: to serve those World War II veterans whom, for their entire lives, had so selflessly served others.In 2006, when it was founded, HonorAir was merely a little-known nonprofit from a small Western North Carolina town. What was not small, however, was this organization's dreams. In a matter of years, the national Honor Flight Network was founded, and veterans from across the United States were finally given the opportunity to see their memorial up close and in person.What had once seemed an out-of-reach, unattainable goal quickly became a reality for those involved in HonorAir. With the program's success, however, came the question of “What next?” HonorAir had already successfully flown every World War II veteran in Western North Carolina who wanted to go to Washington, D.C., so it seemed as though the organization's mission was accomplished.HonorAir founder and my father, Jeff Miller, however, is never one to rest when there is more that can be done.After successfully starting a nationwide movement to give our country's World War II veterans the recognition they deserve, HonorAir moved onto its new focus, serving all those who serve us. This type of service has ranged from everything as small as helping a local veteran get a new pair of eye glasses that he was having trouble receiving from the VA, to as big as assisting new HonorAir and Honor Flight hubs get their start in other states.Wherever there is a veteran or veterans in need, HonorAir has made it its duty as an organization to do what it can as quickly as it can. It is this goal that led to the current fundraiser in support of Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi.For those of you who do not know, Sgt. Tahmooressi is a U.S. Marine who has served his country for two tours in Afghanistan. In March, Sgt. Tahmooressi was in San Diego receiving treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, an issue that our nation's veterans are facing at ever increasing rates, when he made a wrong turn and ended up at the Mexican border.Sgt. Tahmooressi had three legally purchased and registered firearms with him in his truck that he declared to the Border Patrol agents when he arrived. Additionally, he stated that he had no intention of entering Mexico and had only reached the border by mistake.Despite all of this, he was detained and held in a Mexican prison with deplorable conditions for over a month before finally being transferred to a better facility. He is currently still in prison in Mexico and on Monday had only his second appearance in front of a judge.This whole ordeal has been a massive burden on not only Sgt. Tahmooressi but on his entire family. Upon returning home from deployment, he had a fair sum of money saved from his years of service. He had dreamed of purchasing a new truck and perhaps getting a place of his own to live. Sgt. Tahmooressi's arrest and subsequent holding have all but sapped his entire life savings.

Between lawyer fees and travel for his family, Sergeant Tahmooressi has very little left to his name, and even when he is freed, he will be in a very difficult situation.This is where HonorAir comes in. The organization's latest cause is raising funds for Sgt. Tahmooressi and his family.This man volunteered to put on the uniform of the United States of America and serve his country. Not only that, but he suffers from a service-related disorder that can, at times, make even everyday life extremely difficult. More and more of our nation's newest generation of veterans are suffering from this disorder, and we need to set a precedent that we will be there for them.After years of service to us, what kind of country are we if we turn our back on Sgt. Tahmooressi when he is in need?Little has been said about Sgt. Tahmooressi's situation by those in Washington, and even less has been done. That is why we the people need to make sure we take care of one of our own. This isn't a partisan issue or even a political one. This is an issue of morality, and it's our duty as Americans to serve those who risked everything to serve us. We owe it to not only Sgt. Tahmooressi but also to every single member of our armed forces, both active duty and veteran, to assist in any way we are able to.For more information aboutHonorAir's effort or to make a credit card donation, go to www.HonorAir.com, or mail your donation to HonorAir, P.O. Box 331, Hendersonville, N.C., 28793.

Beck Miller of Hendersonville, a senior at Wake Forest University, is the son of Jeff Miller, founder of HonorAir.